Rebecca's Julie 6/20 surgery

Hi, my name is Maureen. Welcome to Dodgers List. Pauliana has given you a great bunch of reading to start with. Remember that it takes a while for the swelling post surgery to subside, so give her time. She will have a great life as long as she is loved, and it sounds like she really is Keeping you in thought and prayer!

Hi! Welcome to Dodger's List. We're glad you found us. The first thing I'd like to say is that no matter how much neurological function our pups regain after surgery, they are still the same beautiful pups we love and they have a great quality of life. Although many dogs do walk again after surgery, those that don't simply use a cart to get around (or scoot indoors) and are VERY happy. Watch Tabby, Clark's, and Oscar's videos on our home page for proof (trust me, you will smile!): www.dodgerslist.com/index/more.htm

Some dogs stand up a week after surgery, and others, like my Goosie (you can read his Success Story by clicking on the link below my signature) require a much longer time. Each dog recovers at a different rate and to a different degree. Nobody can predict how much function a dog will regain, not even a surgeon.

We follow what the most knowledgeable IVDD surgeons recommend for post-op care, and that is 6 weeks of crate rest. The dog is allowed out for potty breaks and for whatever physical therapy is prescribed.

Julie may not immediately regain bladder control due to nerve damage. This means you may have to express her bladder 4 to 6 times per day until control returns. Ask your vet for a HANDS-ON demonstration on how to express the bladder, and watch our video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm It is a good idea to have all family members present for the expressing lesson and video so that you can all pitch in to help keep Julie's bladder healthy.

If you are not already getting it, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of inducing a state of well-being. I firmly believe acupuncture helped my Goosie regain his bladder control more quickly, and his movements were stronger after his treatments. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/

Here is a list of discharge questions to take with you when you pick up Julie: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htm Please let us know what meds she is discharged with, along with the dosages and frequency of dosing.

A pet stroller is a life saver during and after crate rest! It is easier to lift a dog out of a pet stroller than it is a crate, and you can easily wheel the dog from room to room to be in the center of family activities. If the dog is off all medications and in no pain, you can wheel her out the door for a stroll on smooth surfaces in quiet areas. Dogs get a lot of mental stimulation out of strolling! Two things though - you can't leave a dog unattended in a pet stroller and the interior has to be big enough for the dog to completely stretch out and turn around in. You can find pet strollers on Craig’s List or eBay and on many pet supply websites. Here is an article on strollers: dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm

While Julie is on crate rest, you may want to safeguard your home for the IVDD dog: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm

The best way for you to help Julie is by learning about her disease. Here is a brief tutorial on IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/index.html . If a dvd is more your style, we have an excellent one available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm

We look forward to hearing your next update on Julie. Do not despair - IVDD dogs do just fine! Best wishes, ~Lisa

One of the few high points during our IVDD journey was the look on Polly's face when she saw me in the hospital. Priceless! I'm sure you'll be happy to get your baby back home. Mamas are the best nurses!

Hi Rebecca, thanks for the update on Julie. So cute that she was so excited! Glad you are going to learn to express so you can bring her home. Our pups do SO much better when they are in the comfort of their own homes. Please do watch the expressing video I spoke of earlier.

Usually, when neurological functions return after a disc injury, they return in this order:

1. Deep pain sensation
2. Tail wagging ability (to exciting things, not during potty breaks)
3. Bladder control
4. Leg movement

So watch for these things in the coming weeks and months. To test for a return of bladder control, do the "sniff and pee" test. Carry Julie to an old pee spot, support her rear with a sling or your hands, let her sniff and tell her to go pee. See if she can release urine on her own. If she can, bladder control has returned. If she can't, express her bladder right there on the ground so that you'll have a fresh pee spot to try with later. Periodically do the "sniff and pee" test.

Please let us know what meds Julie is discharged with along with the dosages and frequency of dosing. Also remember to print out the discharge questions I gave you earlier to bring to the vet's when you pick Julie up.

It is true that some dogs will excessively lick/gnaw/chew their feet/legs/genitals due to what is called neuropathic pain. This is pain caused by the nerves misfiring, and it feels like pins/needles and shock-like pain. There is a specific medication for this called gabapentin, so if Julie has neuropathic pain, be sure she is being given gabapentin.

We look forward to hearing about her homecoming! Best wishes, ~Lisa

Rebecca, there are different levels of damage to the spinal cord. Nerves can heal and in time neuro functions can again return.

So the first neuro function you will be looking for is a tail that wags because they are happy to see you or get a treat. No one can tell you when nerves will repair only the order they typiclaly repair in.

Nerves heal typically in the reverse order of the damage to the spinal cord:

1. Deep Pain Sensation (Only correctly identified by a specialist.)   <----Julie seems to be here.. she looked when her toe was pinched.
2. Tail wagging with joy at seeing you or getting a treat or meal.
3. Bladder and bowel control verified with the "sniff and pee" test.
4. Leg Movement, and then ability to move up into a standing position, and then wobbly walking.
5. Being able to walk with more steadiness and properly place the feet.
6. Ability to walk unassisted and perhaps even run.

If you see she can wag her tail with happiness, then when you get her home give her the sniff and pee test.  that is the only way we humans can determine if there is bladder control.   Carry outdoors, set on an old pee spot to sniff it. See if urine is then released. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening. Let us know what you observe.

They will show you how to express..you'll get more out of the lesson if you view the video and read the tips a head of time.  www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm

We look forward to your Monday report when Julia is home again.  Names of any meds she might be on. What the vet wants for  home PT and crate rest.

Hi Rebecca,

Glad Julie is home and resting comfortably.. Did she have any bladder control? Did they teach you how to express her? 

Sending healing wishes over the miles..

Do check with your vet on the dose of plain benadryl for Julie.

Expressing is a new skill that you can master. It is a combination of expressing often enough. When you are first are learning this can mean expressing every 3-4 hours. As you see she stays dry then you can move up to every 4-6 hours or a bit longer.

The 2nd part of expressing expertise is the ability to actually feel the bladder. That is the only what to know that you have fully voided it at each session. Not leaving urine in the bladder is important to avoid UTIs (urinary tract infections) and to keep the tone of the bladder intact so it still will work right once the brain is able to send messages to the bladder. Urine that comes out is overflow when the stretching point of the bladder has been exceeded and reflexes then allow some of the urine to release. Overflowing is not a healthy thing.

Can you feel the last state of expressing where the bladder goes so flat you can almost feel the fingers of your other hand? We all have gone back for a refresher on expressing, where we express in the clinic and the vet tech checks our work. Reviewing this page is also very helpful: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm You can also learn to express for poop.

Hi Rebecca,

Sounds like Julie has separation anxiety if she shreds the potty pads in her crate only when you leave..

As far as anxiety.. Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.

Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below:

Oral calmers:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health
2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure]
3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com

Hope Julie continues to progress. We have two dachshunds, Maggie and Katie, that have had the back surgery and fully recovered. Maggie was the worse case our older experienced surgeon said he had ever seen. Katie, is now recovering from neck surgery and this time her recovery has been slower even with relapse and return stay at surgical center. We have six dachshunds and have successfully used the calming treats for our two that have anxieties during storms. We have had success with a thunder shirt too. Not sure if that would be an option since she is still having bladder issues, but maybe for later.


Jane aka Granknee

I just got home from my trip. When I walked in, it looked like Julie was standing slightly. I also saw some slight tail movement. My husband had seen it too when he was doing her therapy. I am so happy that she is showing some signs of progress. Since we are both home tonight, we may see how she does in the water. Unfortunately, we both have to leave for separate trips tomorrow and will have to board her with the vet. It's just overnight, so I hope she won't be too upset with the change. She has finally settled down and resigned herself to her crate confinement.

I hope to be sharing more good news in the coming week.

More good news for Julie! When my daughter came home, there was a lot of tail wagging going on. In the past week, she's also been standing on her own and taking a few steps. She's been walking fairly well in the bathtub, and I can tell she's feeling better overall. Thursday will mark four weeks since her surgery. She also kicks my hand away when I tickle between her toes.

My concerns: Still having trouble with her bladder. It seems like whenever I pick her up to see if she needs to go, she pees on me before I can get her to the toilet to express. I've started using a hand towel when I pick her up, knowing that she'll go as soon as I lift her up. Any suggestions?

Since she's feeling better, she's been more active in her crate. She sometimes tries to climb up the side. I'm afraid she will hurt her back again doing this.

Also, with a little over two weeks left on crate rest, I'm wondering what comes next, especially if she isn't really walking. Do I keep her in the crate while taking her out for longer periods of time?

Thanks again for all the help! I don't know what I would have done without this site.

Just a couple more days until Julie graduates from crate rest! I know she is ready to get out. The doctor said that I could let her out for short periods of time, like 10 minutes. She's been walking during these times. She's pretty unsteady, but I am just so happy to see her walk again! Her right leg (side of the injury) is considerably weaker than her left. Are there any suggestions for activities that would help her strengthen that leg, or is it just something that may get better with time?